Golf makes its Olympic Games return on Thursday and it is the men who get us underway on the Olympic course in the Reserva de Marapendi.

Danny Willett and Justin Rose carry Team GB’s hopes in the men’s event and will be desperately eyeing a spot in the record books.

Both have great pedigree – Willett won the Masters this year while Rose took the US Open in 2013 – and their challenge for an Olympic medal will need to begin with an impressive first round.

KATHERINE GRAINGER – rowing, double sculls (3:04pm)

Katherine Grainger could become Team GB’s most decorated Olympian on Thursday when she goes in the Women’s Double Sculls final.

She and her partner Victoria Thornley had not enjoyed the smoothest of build-ups to Rio 2016 but have impressed in making the final while world champions New Zealand have fallen by the wayside.

The 40-year-old is looking to medal for her fifth Games in a row and would surpass Rebecca Adlington as the British woman with the most career Olympic medals.

Other GB medals up for grabs at the Lagoa include the men’s pair, the men’s quad sculls and the men double sculls.

DAVID FLORENCE & RICHARD HOUNSLOW – canoeing, C2 final (6:15pm)

David Florence’s disappointment in the C1 final has been put behind him and on Thursday he and his partner Richard Hounslow are going for gold in the C2.

The duo had to settle for silver at London 2012 after compatriots Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie snatched gold but qualified third fastest from the heats here in Rio and will be serious medal contenders on the day.

Fiona Pennie is also challenging at the Whitewater Stadium in the K1 finals after seeing Joe Clarke snatch gold in the men’s event yesterday.

MEN’S RUGBY – rugby, semi-final v South Africa (7:00pm)

Dan Bibby’s last-gasp try downed Argentina in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night and the men’s squad have now matched the achievement of their female counterparts in making the semi-finals.

But while the women finished agonisingly out of the medals in fourth, Simon Amor’s troops are looking to go at least one better.

Their semi-final pits them against South Africa – conquerors of Australia and the reigning Commonwealth champions – while Fiji take on surprise packages Japan. The winners will meet in the gold medal match and the losers will scrap it out for the bronze.

JASON KENNY, cycling, team sprint qualifying (08:00pm)

Today sees the start of the track cycling at Rio 2016 and one of Team GB’s stars at London 2012 is among those headlining – Jason Kenny.

The 28-year-old reunites with 2012 teammate Philip Hindes in the team sprint while Callum Skinner has the unenviable task of replacing Sir Chris Hoy as they aim to retain their gold medal from four years ago.

Kenny’s fiancée Laura Trott is also in action in the first round of the women’s pursuit alongside Jo Rowsell Shand, Elinor Barker, Katie Archibald and Ciara Horne.